stalactite UK /ˈstælæktaɪt/US /stəˈlækˌtaɪt/ noun1 •A secondary mineral deposit of calcium carbonate or another mineral, in shapes similar to icicles, that hangs from the roof of a cave.In one place, near at hand, a stalagmite had been slowly growing up from the ground for ages, builded by the water-drip from a stalactite overhead. — 1876 formsstalactites